02/04/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Look North. On the outlook is mixed. Thank you.

Welcome to Look North. On the programme tonight: A huge jobs blow

` one of Yorkshire's two remaining coal mines is to close. UK Coal says

Kellingley Colliery in West Yorkshire will close with the loss

of 700 jobs. Hundreds more will go at Thoresby in Nottinghamshire. The

company's headquarters in Doncaster is also under threat. All this would

leave just one coal mine in Yorkshire. We'll be live at

Kellingley with the very latest on this developing story.

Also tonight: Buying a house will remain a distant dream for young

people in Yorkshire, according to a new report.

A little piece of Madagascar comes to South Yorkshire ` we get up close

with some very cute new arrivals. This was the scene in Shipley this

morning, but is there a change in prospect? Join me for the weather

forecast coming up shortly. Good evening. First tonight ` one of

Yorkshire's two remaining deep coal mines is set to close with the loss

of 700 jobs. UK Coal wants to shut Kellingley Colliery. 600 miners and

100 contractors face unemployment. More jobs are also under threat at

UK Coal's head office in Doncaster. It comes on the 30th anniversary of

the year`long miners' strike. Back then there were 56 pits across our

region, employing more than 85,000 miners. If Kellingley goes, it will

leave Hatfield near Doncaster as Britain's last remaining deep mine.

Our business correspondent is here now. This is a devastating blow. It

is, and we have only found out in the last couple of hours that this

would happen. UK Coal have said it has been an incredibly difficult

year for them. They have been hit by cheap imports coming in from Russia,

but also from the United States because of the boom in the shale gas

industry. Effectively what they have said is that they are now in

consultation with the unions. It is a 45 day consultation, and running

alongside that they are trying to get money in to help keep the

business afloat while they managed the closure. They have known for a

long time this was coming, it has been a difficult year for them, and

I went down the mine in the autumn and spoke to them then, and they

were very concerned about the industry and the fact that nothing

has been done to shore up the last of our coal mines. The future of

cunningly has been hanging in the balance for the last 12 months. ``

the future of Kellingley. When I visited the colliery in the autumn,

bosses were pulling their punches. The cheap call from America was

making it all but impossible to stay afloat. Today they announced the

start of what they hope will be controlled shutdown, with the loss

of over 1000 jobs. I think this is really troubling. We have fought

many to keep Kellingley colliery open before and we have always

succeeded but we need to stand together again at a time when we

have jobs at risk, but also the whole of the deep mined coal

industry. We need to maintain that diverse energy supply. It will leave

only one deep mine in Yorkshire, quite come down from the 56 before

the miners' strike all those years ago. Is there any hope at all? No,

they have really been struggling, and when nearby areas by the coal,

they buy it in dollars. They are dealing with an exchange rate, and

the fact that a lot of our big power stations are changing to biomass

because of environmental issues. Unless they get this influx of cash,

which will help them manage the closure over this 18 months they are

hoping for, selling off the bits, paying off creditors, looking after

the people who work there, if they don't get that money, we could see a

closure much quicker than the 18 months. Thank you for explaining

that. We're hoping to speak to UK Coal later in the programme.

Also tonight: The jury at the new Hillsborough inquest has been warned

to ignore the findings of all previous investigations into the

disaster, and to decide purely on the basis of the evidence they hear.

96 Liverpool fans died from crush injuries at Sheffield Wednesday's

ground 25 years ago. John Cundy has been following the inquest in

Warrington. There have been a series of questions the coroner has drawn

to the attention of the jury about what happened in those central pens

of the Sheffield Wednesday football ground, and he said the jury would

be faced with questions like these: Were the dangers of turnstiles known

previously? Could more have been done about the crowding and if so by

whom? Or do anything more have been done to keep to a minimum the

crushing going on outside the ground, and if so, by whom? And he

also asked if anything could have been done to avoid the dangerous

situation developing in pens three and four, and if so, what? He left

the jury with this thought ` this inquest must enquire fearlessly into

the disaster which caused the deaths of the 96 people.

What happens at the next age of this inquest? The next stage begins

tomorrow. It is expected to take until the end of April. The impact

statements next week will come from Trevor Hicks who lost his two

daughters, Sarah and Vicky, in the disaster. Mr Hicks has become a

prominent campaigner for the families, and he had this comment to

make as he approached court this morning. We use the generic term 96,

but it is 96 individuals that matter to their individual families. It is

like a memorial service, will light a candle for each individual and

obviously that is partly to remember that one person among the 96. Now

the jury begin the next stage of their task which will take 12 months

to complete this historic legal event.

Later on Look North: Bradford's regeneration starts to take shape.

Thousands of tonnes of steel arrives on site at the city's long`awaited

Westfield shopping centre. It's more than a decade since the area was

cleared and since then there's been very little activity. But, for the

first time there are signs of development, as Spencer Stokes

reports. Bradford's framework for the future. For more than ten years

the city has pinned its regeneration hopes on this ?260 million scheme.

Finally there are tangible signs of progress. It is three months now

since the builders and their machines arrived on site, and since

then, what was once a giant hole has now become a hive of hard hats and

high vis jackets. When you look out, you can start to see the beginnings

of what will be the Westfield shopping centre. It was February

2004 that around a quarter of the city centre was cleared. A huge hole

was excavated, but retailers failed to sign up, and Bradford was left in

an embarrassing situation ` demolished flats, shops and offices

making way for nothing. We have been chomping at the bit, to use a term,

to get started so we have had plenty of time to plan this project. That

time has allowed us to look at this in great detail so we can move

quickly to a completion. The building work has already created an

economic ripple effect. Thirsk`based steel firm Severfield Rowen now has

a bulging order book. They are cutting 500 tonnes of steel a week

for Westfield. In total, 6682 tonnes will come through this plant, and it

will take five months to get the full framework in place. Initially

we were talking to our clients about this back in 2007 and I'm very well

aware the contract was started with a hole in the ground. Now that is

being filled in, concreted, the steel is being manufactured and it

gives a good boost for the Yorkshire economy as well as our business.

High`street retailers like Topshop, Marks Spencer, and Sainsbury's

have signed up to the Westfield scheme. More are being sought for

the December 2015 opening. The council hopes the steelwork supports

more than just a building, and shows that after ten long years, Bradford

is on the up. The cost of getting on the housing

ladder ` a new report says buying your own home is a distant dream for

many of Yorkshire's younger generation. High house prices,

rising rents and stagnant wages are blamed. Home Truths ` a report by

the National Housing Federation ` says it's a crisis which is only set

to get worse. It says fewer than half of the number of new homes

needed in Yorkshire are currently being built. An annual income of

nearly ?36,000 is needed for the average mortgage here but the

average salary across Yorkshire and the Humber is less than 20,000.

Meanwhile it's no better in the rental sector with private rents

predicted to rise by 50%. Ian White has this exclusive report. This

estate is the Dale Croft development. As you can see, there

are some houses behind me still being constructed at the moment.

Some others are finished on the place is looking rather smart. If

you grew up in the ugly area and you wanted to stay in the area, you

might struggle. `` in the Ilkley area. I have been meeting people

today in a real predicament. When Thomas started work here, he hoped

he would be able to buy a new home. Because of the situation with

relation to house prices, I cannot see a time when this arrangement

will never end. To get a mortgage, Thomas would need to be earning at

least ?36,000 per year. He says it is very frustrating. When you want

to settle down and build a future for yourself it is very difficult

and I cannot see where the insecurity will end because of the

disproportionate link between my wage and the cost of buying a house.

The report identifies the top ten places where it is least affordable

to buy a house. It says new affordable homes are desperately

needed. This is a wealthy area where it is hard to get on the property

ladder. For the last four or five years, we have built 400 affordable

homes so we need to do more of that. There is an increasing demand for

homes, and in Bradford it is 2500 per year that is required. Local MP

Chris Hopkins says the Government is addressing the concerns young people

have about rising rent and house prices. This Government has

delivered more council housing in the years we have been in power than

13 years of the last government. Whether it is about affordable

housing, whether it is about supporting people who want to get

into the housing market through the helped by campaign, the Government

is committed to base. They want to do it so that people have a decent

home, but also to support the local economy. The report also highlights

the benefits of the local economy of having affordable homes built, and

training opportunities school leavers. This is one of the houses

that those apprentices have been working on. Let's step inside to see

what is going on. This is one of the show homes. The National Housing

Federation compiled that report, we have seen it before, it has been

published, but one of the people behind it is Daniel, with me now.

Many people will be surprised things are so bad in Yorkshire, and they

are, aren't they? Yes, every year 8000 properties are being built, and

we really need 16,000. The Government say they are doing things

to help like the Help To Buy scheme so that has got to be good news. Yes

but the average wage is 20,000 so it is a real mismatch so we need to

help people to do more, also to tackle rising private rents. What

hope is there for people like Thomas? We need more homes to rent

and to buy, and more homes for across the income scale. The real

thing we need to do is build more homes. There have been all sorts of

protests when housing developments are first mooted and I know that

here you have had a different approach. We have, we consulted with

our neighbours and we talked them through the plans. We got them

onside. One of the issues was mud on the road, it is a building site, so

we offered to clean their carpets for them. That doesn't sound too

bad! Back to you. UK Coal has made the announcement this afternoon that

it is called such `` consulting on plans to close the mine. Our guests

joined us now, why are you making this decision? We have had an

extremely difficult time trading since we have the administration

last year. We have had a very strong pound, and combine that with an

extremely low international coal price, these things are good for

energy bills because coal is still 40% of it and keeps bills down, but

as the producer it puts huge pressure on us. What about the

miners themselves? This will be devastating for them. This is their

livelihoods and such an important part of the economy. It is a

colossal loss and an extremely difficult time for everyone in the

business, but particularly the most iconic work as we have in the region

are based at Kellingley so it is not just Kellingley, it is our other

deep mine in Nottinghamshire as well so it is a difficult time for

everyone. Speaking to those miners, that is their lives so we are

wondering now what they can do, especially to those who are little

bit older. What help can you give them? We have opened a consultation

now where everybody will be speaking to trade unions, just to make sure

we get a full understanding, but what we are looking at here is a

package that will enable us to close down Kellingley and Thoresby in a

safe way, looking after employers as best we can, and also suppliers. Is

there any realistic chance that it can be saved? It looks very dark

days at the moment. There are possibilities but at the moment no,

it is a very difficult time. What we are looking up with the funding is a

safe, managed close down over the next 18 months. I have been talking

to Alistair McGowan about his new role. We will be talking about why

we are in one of the most beautiful theatres in the world for this week

only. And a little piece of Madagascar comes to South Yorkshire

` we get up close with some adorable new arrivals. Football now, and

there was yet more disappointment last night for Leeds United. Massimo

Cellino's takeover remains in doubt, and the gloom continued on the

pitch. Meanwhile Sheffield United had a player sent off and then waved

back on, as the referee changed his mind! Dave Edwards looks back at

yesterday's action. The white flags were waved as Leeds United took to

the field, no one is surrendering yet but things surely cannot get

much worse than this. The players are still waiting for 50% of their

march wages and maybe they had... Early in the second half Ross

MacCormack gave the fans something to shout about. His effort was

brilliantly tipped onto the bar. Plenty of fans down in London will

be impressed with this strike and the player's first goal for the

club. A penalty from MacCormack bought an opportunity to salvage a

point, but now it is six defeats in seven for Leeds United. Into league

one, and who says referees don't change their minds? This one did.

Trotter threw for Brentford, this challenge, and the referee said

penalty, red card. This was one of the most bizarre incidents you will

see all season. A quick chat with the linesman, Freeman summoned back

onto the field, no penalty, let's have a dropped ball instead. It

finished 0`0. Elsewhere Bradford visited Coventry. Another goalless

draw, the kind of mid`table fixture for `` fit for an almost empty

stadium. Pygmalion may have been written

almost 100 years ago, but the themes are still relevant. I popped down to

see the actors a little earlier before the matinee and I asked

Alistair about growing up as a Leeds United fan. Back in the 1970s. When

I was young we went on holiday to Wales and I fell for this lady who

was 70, she looked after us, she was lovely. She was from Leeds and from

then I supported the team. You don't support them now, and a good job

really in their current form. Yes, it's a sorry state of affairs. Are

they not very good? The keep selling all of their best players. Pygmalion

is one of the most famous plays of the 20th century and yet people

still associate it with the musical my fair Lady, so how different is

it? It is a much broader concept, the political arguments and

communication or lack of communication is much more strongly

pointed out on stage in the play from which my fair Lady came. We all

have voice coaching because we had to speak in a more clipped accent in

those days. It took time to that to sit comfortably but now it is second

nature and I find myself using it in real life. It is a powerful way of

speaking really, and you might think I sound posh, but not at all, in

those days they would talk about going out, and where, with what they

call an aspirin `` aspirant H. I remember the first review we ever

got was in Timeout, and they asked why are they bothering to do David

Beckham and Victoria Beckham, nobody cares how they speak and I always

take great pride in having proved them wrong. Now you are an actor, do

you think you will ever go back to the impressions? Yes, I try to

balance the two. I did my stand`up tour, 60 days, and this year has

been completely different. You studied in Leeds so you know quite a

bit about it, don't you? I actually bought a poster of this theatre, it

was the view of the boxes in the balcony and this beautiful ceiling,

people have pictures of pop bands people have pictures of pop bands

and I have this. We are going to save this area is where your career

really started, is that right? Yes, I started dreaming in those stalls

over there. Three baby lemurs have been born at The Tropical Butterfly

House in North Anston in Sheffield. It's the first time they've bred the

animals at the wildlife centre. All three babies are said to be doing

well. From cute to not so cute. Not enjoying the weather, I bet. They

have had it! Let me show you a few pictures which sums the day up. Some

brightness in Sheffield with the daffodils, but a lot of missed, that

was taking this morning `` taken this morning. This is unusual, some

brightness, but it was yesterday evening. Keep the pictures coming

in. Another uninspiring day tomorrow,

there will be coastal and Gilfach, mostly cloudy, it may well brighten

up for a time and apart from some showers in the west it looks

generally dry. Here is tomorrow's chart with a southeasterly. Things

should clear up my sleep, Friday afternoon in particular should be

dry with some sunshine. That will lead us interchangeable weekend,

always the risk of some rain in places. You can see the extent of

the cloud on the satellite picture, currently thick enough to produce

some patchy outbreaks of rain in places. There will be some mist and

fog, pretty extensive, and there will be a risk of sea fog as well.

The sun will rise in the morning at 6:35am, your next high water time in

Scarborough at 7:15am. It is a grey, uninspiring start of the day

with extensive hill fog, some sea fog as well, mistiness at lower

levels. Patchy rain will clear up northwards, and apart from some

showers in the west, it should stay dry. I suspect most of us will

remain cloudy for much of the day, and another chilly day along the

coast with high temperatures of just seven or eight degrees. Inland, up

to 11 Celsius. Friday brightens up some sunshine. Lets get more news on

the breaking story tonight. Yes, Tom has sent a report that sums up the

mood at the colliery. These towers are looming out of the mist here,

but the question is, for how much longer? This colliery has been to

the brink many times but will this be the occasion when it closes?

Kellingley colliery have said jobs will be lost at this site, and in

Thoresby, and around 100 jobs at risk in the Doncaster office, and

that is a large part of the UK coal operation, leaving only Hatfield pit

operating as a deep mine in Yorkshire. In many ways it reminds

me of Maltby which closed 18 months ago in that the pit is situated some

way outside the village so it is no longer a case of everyone getting on

their bicycles and coming to start their shift, but it means miners

travel from much further afield so job losses will be felt right across

the county. The mood tonight here is grim, but perhaps unsurprised. A lot

more on that in our late bulletin tonight. From all of us, enjoy the

rest